Some readers may remember reports in 2020 of a trip up Winzenberg Hill on an old, very overgrown route where the group was prevented by gorse and an impenetrable thicket of branches from reaching the top, and a later working party trip report.
John Rhodes recalls tramping up to the summit in the 1970s, when it was all farmland, and access was easy. He has been very determined to resurrect the route up Winzenberg from the Holdsworth campground as a tramping possibility for local trampers, and has inspired and cajoled many others to help him in this task. Five track-clearing parties have worked hard cutting the route, and some keen track makers have made solo excursions.
A recent trip by 19 trampers, mostly from SWTC and MTC, saw the official opening of the Rhodes Route to Winzenberg. It was a perfect day for the occasion, sunny and calm. As we climbed our 450 steep metres up to the semi-alpine bush we used the excuse of looking at the views out over the Wairarapa Valley, and later over to the Main Range, as an excuse for a breather.
In order to get 19 people on to the grassy summit there was a final flurry of gorse cutting before we could all gather for the official opening. Speeches from the SWTC President , the MTC Vice-President, and John, were followed by lamingtons and whipped cream for all – lighter to carry and less wasteful than sprinkling bushes with champagne!
Inspired by our achievement, a possible return route to the campground down the direct ridge was scouted out, and we hope that after many more working parties we will have a superb and satisfying round trip!
SWTC welcomes new members! Phone or email Ed and Juliet Cooke, 06 304 9497 or efjac@xtra.co.nz. See our Facebook page and website.
